Celtics-Lakers Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTOPosted Feb 20 2013 2:33AM

The Los Angeles Lakers are taking the court for the first time since the death of Jerry Buss, and it's rather fitting that the opponent will be a storied rival.

Emerging from the All-Star break, the Lakers may see a meeting with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night as a chance to show some consistency while paying tribute to their charismatic and beloved owner.

The Lakers (25-29) have long been one of the world's premier sports franchises, and much of the credit goes to Buss, who died at 80 from kidney failure on Monday. A memorial service will be held Thursday across from Staples Center at Nokia Theatre, and he'll be honored Wednesday before tip-off.

After Buss purchased the team in 1979, he turned it into a spectacle dubbed "Showtime," led by Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal later helped usher in another era of dominance for a star-studded franchise befitting of the searing Hollywood spotlight.

The Lakers won 10 of 16 NBA Finals under Buss, the most of any team in that span. However, his business savvy, knack for promotion and willingness to acquire some of the best players in basketball history made the Lakers into the NBA's first global brand.

"Think about the impact that he's had on the game and the decisions he's made, and the brand of basketball he brought here with Showtime and the impact that had on the sport as a whole," Bryant said. "Those vibrations were felt to a kid all the way in Italy who was 6 years old, before basketball was even global. His impact is felt worldwide."

Buss' impact will be felt Wednesday, especially against the Celtics (28-25).

The Lakers and Celtics have combined to win half of the NBA's 66 titles, and they've matched up five times in the Finals since 1980. Los Angeles has won three of those series, most recently in 2010.

Both teams haven't seemed capable of reaching those lofty expectations this season, but the Lakers may be the bigger disappointment. They're 10th in the Western Conference, 3 1/2 games back of Houston for the eighth and final playoff position.

The Lakers also lost three of four to the Los Angeles Clippers, dropping the season series to their historically lowly neighbors the first time since 1992-93 after falling 125-101 on Feb. 14 before entering the break.

Bryant has been doing his part, ranking fourth in the league with 26.8 points per game, and lately he's tried to get others involved. While he's averaging 18.4 points over the past 12 games, the All-Star guard has 8.5 assists per game after dishing out 11 against the Clippers.

He's averaged 28.7 points over the past 12 meetings with Boston, including seven in the 2010 Finals.

Bryant's 27 points weren't enough in the latest meeting Feb. 7, when Los Angeles lost 116-95 on the road.

Oft-injured Dwight Howard has taken the brunt of the blame for the Lakers' struggles, averaging 16.3 points and 11.8 boards after being seen as the final piece to add to the franchise's trophy haul.

The All-Star center was limited to nine points and nine rebounds after missing the three previous games with a shoulder injury.

The Celtics are trying to re-establish their momentum after losing 97-90 at Denver on Tuesday in the opener of this season-high five-game road trip. They had won eight of the previous nine while dealing with season-ending injuries to Rajon Rondo (ACL), Jared Sullinger (back surgery) and Leandro Barbosa (ACL).

"We got stagnant with ball movement," said forward Paul Pierce, who had 10 points, six rebounds and six assists. "We just didn't make the adjustment. A little too much one-on-one. On the other end, we didn't get key stops. We fouled a little bit too much. Every crucial possession that we needed a stop, we didn't get the stop that we needed and they were able to pull away."

Pierce leads Boston with 18.3 points per game, but he's only managed 10.3 over the last three games. He's averaging 25.2 over 13 regular-season road meetings with the Lakers.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Lakers beat Celtics 113-99 on emotional night

By BETH HARRISPosted Feb 21 2013 2:38AM

Playing their first game since Buss died, the Lakers earned an emotional 113-99 victory over their greatest rivals on Wednesday night.

Dwight Howard had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Kobe Bryant added 16 points, Steve Nash and Earl Clark had 14 apiece, and Metta World Peace 12 in a game that surely would have delighted Buss.

"It was very fitting," Bryant said. "You look at all the trophies, parades and support this team has - that all came from one man. The impact is a global one."

The Lakers won their most recent NBA championship - and last under Buss - in 2010, beating the Celtics 4-3 in the finals. Buss died Monday at 80 after an 18-month struggle with cancer that had forced him to watch his team's games on TV or an iPad instead of from his suite above the Staples Center court.

His empty seat was illuminated and "R.I.P. Dr. Buss" was written on the board inside the Lakers locker room.

"We got to continue to carry on what he built," Bryant said.

Paul Pierce scored 26 points for the Celtics, who fell to 8-17 on the road and lost their third in a row away from home. Courtney Lee added 20 points and Kevin Garnett had 12 on 6-of-14 shooting.

"We've been in that situation with Red Auerbach, and so many other emotional games - teams are very dangerous, especially in their home building," Pierce said. "You take a lot of pride in protecting that and going out and getting that first win. You could see it in their eyes. I saw it in Kobe's eyes. He was really emotional coming out and he wanted this game bad. We understood that."

Howard's performance in the Lakers' first game since the All-Star break came on the eve of the NBA trade deadline. He has been the subject of rumors, but general manager Mitch Kupchak said this week that Howard wouldn't be going anywhere.

"I was thinking about it all day, getting this win for Dr. Buss," Howard said. "We came out with a lot of energy, a lot of intensity. We have to keep working every day in practice to get better and hopefully this season can happen for us."

Howard was among seven Lakers in double figures on a night when they shot 51 percent, dominated the paint 54-30 and were 22 of 31 from the free throw line for one of the most complete games they've played in months.

"We looked like a team," Nash said. "We moved bodies and moved the ball and made it tough on their defense. It gives us a little more of an identity."

Clark had a career-high 16 rebounds, and Antawn Jamison added 15 points off the bench for Los Angeles.

The Lakers improved to 26-29 and gained a split in the season series, having avenged a 116-95 loss to the Celtics on Feb. 7 when they trailed by 32 points.

"We certainly wanted to return the favor," Bryant said.

Boston trailed by nine at the end of the first two quarters before the Lakers opened up a 75-57 lead early in the third. Typical of their balanced scoring throughout the game, World Peace, Bryant, Nash, Howard and Clark each contributed baskets in the 11-2 run.

Nash had seven assists, giving him 10,144 while passing Magic Johnson for sole possession of fourth place on the career list. He said he and Howard have talked about trying to work more as a tandem.

"He has to find ways to free me up and therefore, I am going to find ways to free him up," Nash said. "It is still a work in progress, but the last two games before the break he really committed into running pick-and-rolls, setting good screens, rolling hard and you saw either me free for jump shots or him going down the paint for fouls or finishes."

The Lakers shot 51 percent in the first half and had four players in double figures, helping them to a 64-55 lead. Howard was energetic in scoring 15 points and setting screens reminiscent of his days with Orlando. Bryant had 14 points, Nash 12 and World Peace 10.

"I thought he was playing through emotion," Garnett said about Bryant. "You could hear the emotion in his voice."

Pierce carried the Celtics with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting in the half, when they shot 49 percent. He said he hadn't talked to general manager Danny Ainge about the trade rumors involving him.

"I'm sure if something comes up, he'll probably call me," Pierce said. "I can't worry about that. I've got a job to do and they've got to do what's best for the franchise. I've always understood that this is just a business."

Buss was remembered in a pregame video tribute featuring photos of him as a child all the way through him hoisting trophies marking the team's 10 NBA championships won under his ownership. Bryant fittingly spoke on behalf of the Lakers' players, having been acquired by the Lakers as a 17-year-old.

"He was a brilliant, incredible owner but an even better person," Bryant said. "His innovation transcended the game and we are all, all spoiled by his vision and his drive to win year after year after year."

There was a moment of silence in the darkened arena before the crowd broke up the quiet with chants of "Jerry, Jerry."

"It was very emotional and very nice," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said, noting the crowd's energy. "You couldn't help but feel it and I think the players felt it, also."

A memorial service for invited guests will be held Thursday at Nokia Theatre across the street from Staples Center. Buss will be buried in a private service on Friday.

NOTES: Lakers F Pau Gasol said he hopes to get off his crutches soon and return before the end of the regular season. He had surgery on his right foot after injuring it on Feb. 5. ... The Celtics signed free agent G-F Terrence Williams to a 10-day contract on Wednesday. He had been playing with Guangdong in the Chinese league, averaging 17.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 29 games. ... Jeanie Buss accepted condolences on her father's passing from numerous well-wishers stopping by her seat before the game. ... Jack Nicholson and Dyan Cannon, longtime Lakers fans dating to the team's days at the Forum in Inglewood, were on hand.

Copyright 2013 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Notebook: Lakers 113, Celtics 99

THE FACTS: On a night when the Lakers paid tribute to their revered owner Jerry Buss, who died Monday following a long illness, they showed the same passion that he displayed in 24 years at the helm. The Lakers dismantled their longest-running rival almost from the start, getting huge games from Dwight Howard and Earl Clark on their way to a 113-99 victory Wednesday night against the Celtics at Staples Center.

QUOTABLE: "It's a very great tribute to a very great man."-- Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni

THE STAT: Lakers point guard Steve Nash was one of seven players in double figures for L.A., contributing 14 points and seven assists to pass former Lakers star Magic Johnson for fourth on the all-time NBA assist list (10,144).

TURNING POINT: Boston took an early 15-11 lead but Kobe Bryant's basket sparked a 10-0 run. The Lakers continued to pad their lead, taking a 36-27 lead into the second quarter. The Celtics made a couple moves, getting within five points twice in the quarter, but an 11-2 run to start the second half put the Celtics in a deep hole for good.

HOT: Howard, who has taken some criticism for his up-and-down play before the All-Star break, was the type of player many envisioned when he came over from Orlando in the offseason. Howard finished with a team-high 24 points and 12 rebounds. Clark, who began the season on the end of the Lakers bench, continued his remarkable evolution, scoring 14 points and grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds. Courtney Lee overcame early foul trouble to score a season-high 20 points for the Celtics.

NOT: Bryant didn't shoot the ball particularly well, finishing 5-for-15 from the floor and scoring 16 points, but he matched Nash with seven assists, four rebounds and three turnovers. Kevin Garnett continues to struggle with his shooting for the Celtics. He finished 6-for-14 from the floor and scored 12 points. A 50.2 percent field goal shooter on the season, he has shot under that mark in three straight games.

GOOD MOVE: Right from the opening tip, Howard seemed like he was on a mission to prove himself to Lakers fans and the team brass, totaling eight points and four rebounds in the game's first five minutes. That seemed to resonate with his teammates, who combined to put together one of their best efforts of the season.

BAD MOVE: With the Lakers on the verge of putting a stamp on the Celtics, Bryant and Howard were both called for technical fouls in the third quarter. Fortunately for the Lakers, Boston didn't turn those into momentum changers.

NOTABLE: Buss won his last NBA championship in 2010, a seven-game victory against the Celtics. ... The 113 points by the Lakers was the most since they scored the same number Jan. 13 against the Cavaliers. ... Paul Pierce, who grew up in L.A., scored a team-high 26 points for the Celtics.